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According to a recently released German study, the supposed "environmentally friendly" compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's), are reported to have "cancer causing chemicals" that are sent out when the light is switched on, reports London's Daily Telegraph:
Their report advises that the bulbs should not be left on for extended periods, particularly near someones head, as they emit poisonous materials when switched on.
Peter Braun, who carried out the tests at the Berlin's Alab Laboratory, said: For such carcinogenic substances it is important they are kept as far away as possible from the human environment.
The bulbs are already widely used in the UK following EU direction to phase out traditional incandescent lighting by the end of this year.
But the German scientists claimed that several carcinogenic chemicals and toxins were released when the environmentally-friendly compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were switched on, including phenol, naphthalene and styrene.
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The new German study is not the first time CFL's have been cited as potentially harmful to humans and the rest of the environment. The Telegraph article also points out:
The latest report follows claims by Abraham Haim, a professor of biology at Haifa University in Israel, that the bulbs could result in higher breast cancer rates if used late at night.
He said that the bluer light that CFLs emitted closely mimicked daylight, disrupting the body's production of the hormone melatonin more than older-style filament bulbs, which cast a yellower light.
The Migraine Action Association has warned that they could trigger migraines and skin care specialists have claimed that their intense light could exacerbate a range of existing skin problems.
When it was revealed that the mercury inside the enviro-light bulb could produce a toxic environment from mercury fumes if the bulb ever broke, the EPA released a three page guide in January on how to properly clean up and dispose of a broken CFL bulb.
Study: Enviro-light bulbs can cause cancer - Washington Times
But these bulbs use less energy so . . . who gives a shit if they're harmful to us. Swirly on!